Project Planning

In August 2022, Abin Pradhan, Arya Pradhan, Dr. Sampurna M Tuladhar, Rajesh Kaji Kayastha, and Ashish Bhadra met to discuss the implementation of the project. The project team decided to organize a health camp for screening of heart and lung disease in the outskirts of the Banepa city – Ghimire Gaon. Additional meetings were held between eLifeLink, CNH and Rotary Club in Kathmandu, Nepal to finalize the details of the camp.

Project Resources

A full team of doctors volunteered at the health camp – Dr. Sampurna Tuladhar, Dr. Prakash Shrestha, and Dr. Sanjay K Shrestha were senior doctors and Dr. Shirja Kishi, Dr. Rajan Shrestha were the junior doctors. Eko Duo EKG and Stethoscope were used for initial screening of murmur, AFib and COPD. An Echo (ultrasound) machine was used for further diagnosis. They were assisted by Nirmala, Bipin, and Mamata, who took blood pressure and blood oxygen saturation readings. Arya Pradhan, Anish Bhadra, Anika Bhadra, and Rimon Kayastha volunteered to take the height and weight of the patients. eLifeLink sponsored the purchase of portable medical equipment such as blood pressure and oximeter for the health camp.

Heart Screening Process & Recommendation

Each patient was given a medical form at the registration station along with a patient ID number. Their height and weight were taken in the first station. In the next station their blood pressure, pulse and blood oxygen levels were taken. After that the junior doctors performed a heart screening using the Eko Duo digital stethoscope. This equipment is used for initial screening and the results are captured in an iPad and uploaded into the cloud (Eko’s data center). The system then used Artificial Intelligence (AI) to detect if the patient has any heart related issues such and murmur or irregular heartbeat (Arrhythmia) within 15 seconds. If a murmur or any other issue was detected the patient was further diagnosed using the desktop ultrasound machine. The heart sonographer added her comments about the results of the ultrasound in the patients form. The senior doctors took the responsibility of checking some of the higher risk patients with greater complications. Patients having notable heart and lung issues such as heart murmur and COPD/Asthma were provided comprehensive consultation recommending future courses of action as well as prescriptions.

Results Summary

We scanned a total of 107 patients at the health camp. Arya Pradhan captured all the details from the patient form including prescribed medicines in an Excel spreadsheet. A nonconfidential version is available for download below. We then categorized each patient into high, medium, or low risk rating. We shared the spreadsheet to Dr. Sampurna and Dr. Sanjay for their final review and expert opinion. The VDC Chairman then followed up with several high-risk patients to see how they are doing and if any further intervention is required.

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